Streaming Danhttps://streamingdan.com
Political Commentary and Opinion by a Concerned CitizenSun, 10 Dec 2017 01:38:54 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.com/https://streamingdan.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/cropped-sdicon.jpg?w=32Streaming Danhttps://streamingdan.com
3232How Republicans SHOULD Respond to Roy Moorehttps://streamingdan.com/2017/12/05/how-republicans-should-respond-to-roy-moore/
https://streamingdan.com/2017/12/05/how-republicans-should-respond-to-roy-moore/#respondWed, 06 Dec 2017 00:03:37 +0000http://streamingdan.com/?p=4145]]>The deafening silence of the GOP regarding Roy Moore’s senate candidacy seems to only further normalize deplorable behavior by men of power…and in this case a toxic, serial harasser and assaulter, and child molester. While Moore remains firmly on brand with Trumpism’s rampant hatred of all that are different, it doesn’t seem to stop there. Trump and republican leadership now asserts that a child-molesting hate-monger is still better than a democrat that fought the KKK and didn’t molest any children.

While each day I find myself continually disgusted with the Republican Party, I feel there is a way in which they may find some way to salvage what little, if any, dignity the Party and their lawmakers may have. While they use partisan politics to favor their wealthy donors over their own constituents (in a manner akin to the robber barons of the late 19th century that amassed great sums of wealth at the expense of the working class), they could take a firm, moral stance against some non-partisan issues that are plaguing our society. The Republican establishment won’t, but one can dream.

This is how I feel, the Republican Leadership could make a feeble attempt to stand up against the toxicity what is poisoning their party:

Much like our Democratic Colleagues, the Republican Party believes in the values of an open and free democracy. A democracy that enables everyone to participate in political debate and run for legislative offices. The leadership of the party, in no uncertain terms disavows Roy Moore and will not continue to support his campaign for Alabama Senator.

Sexual Harassment and Assault is a noxious part of American Culture that needs to be stamped out at all costs. This is not a partisan issue and we are united with our democratic colleagues in stamping out this epidemic of privilege and power running amok.

With so many of Americans speaking out about their experiences, we will honor our covenant with the American citizenry to ensure that no man, woman, or child needs feel fear when speaking out and shining a light on corruption and deplorable behavior from their legislators. Roy Moore, represents values reprehensible to the Republican Party. We therefore withdraw our endorsement of Roy Moore in his Senatorial Campaign and strongly encourage concerned Americans to vote their conscience and join us in refuting a virulent racist, serial sexual harasser and assaulter, and child molester.

To stand by our long-standing colleague and veteran legislator, Senator John McCain, we seek a return to regular order, good governance, and respect and dignity for both the American people and the governing bodies that represent them.

In the end, I’m not an Alabaman, but this election goes beyond purely local politics. Supporting Doug Jones is not just the best option, it is truly the only option to maintain decency in our nation. Electing Roy Moore to the Senate only further fans the flames of hate in our country and communicates to the American people (and the world at large) that America is divisible and is willing to normalize repugnant, criminal behavior in favor of partisan politics.

Are you feeling like you’ve been taking crazy pills? Do you disagree? Well…I’d like to hear your thoughts too. Please feel free to Comment, share, and like. Also, subscribe to ensure you get the latest updates. You can also follow me on twitter @streamingdan82

]]>https://streamingdan.com/2017/12/05/how-republicans-should-respond-to-roy-moore/feed/0RMstreamingdan82Loss and Placing John Kelly into Context as a Marine Corps Veteranhttps://streamingdan.com/2017/10/20/john-kelly/
https://streamingdan.com/2017/10/20/john-kelly/#respondFri, 20 Oct 2017 22:19:29 +0000http://streamingdan.com/?p=3966]]>It’s been sometime since I’ve written a more in-depth article on events. Truthfully, current events in America have reached a point where I’m left dumb-founded at the sheer callous nature of the Donald Trump, his Administration, and his Die-Hard Trumpists. Recent news has exploded over Trump’s complete lack of empathy and inability to handle the delicate situation of comforting the bereaved and even accept any form of responsibility for his gaffs. Having said that, his response to the deaths of four soldiers ambushed in Niger is an issue but it is not THE issue.

This is not solely about Donald J. Trump!

Consider, politics aside, there are currently families, friends, and communities mourning the tragic loss of their loved ones. Americans who lost their lives in service to their country. That is the story…yet, Trump and (let’s be honest for a moment – real talk folks!) the media has made it all about Trump. Much how Trump has hijacked the message of #TakeAKnee (let’s not forget the protests were about the rise of police brutality and continued discrimination of our law enforcement against persons of color), he has now hijacked the tragic story of those in mourning over their soldiers. Let’s not forget that.

Remember:

SGT La David Johnson

SSG Bryan Black

SSG Jeremiah Johnson

SSG Dustin Right.

My, and hopefully yours as well, thoughts and prayers go out to their families.

On to the rest of my own meditation…focusing on John Kelly’s own reaction.

John Kelly: Marine Corps Veteran, Leader, White House Chief of Staff, and Father.

When Trump politicized the death of John Kelly’s son, it struck me as a low-class (if not entirely classless) blow; an under the belt tactic to further Trump’s own deplorable Brand. This was shocking and repugnant in my eyes not only as a veteran, but also as a human being with a capacity for empathy. To think that this was all done without the prior consent or consultation with John Kelly is utterly deplorable. Why, therefore, has he not come out more aggressively against his boss for such a tactless and toxic response.

I have my thoughts…and truthfully I’m somewhat conflicted; mainly because of my own political bias…but I feel that during this time some measure of slack should be afforded to Mr. Kelly…at least for the moment.

John Kelly is a Leader and a Human Being

Whether you agree with John Kelly or his politics, his role in the White House should be agnostic of his own experiences. The tragic loss of his son, 2LT Robert Kelly, USMC, has become a topic of discussion…and Kelly has been very public about the private nature of this loss. The death of a child, I can only imagine, is a horrific and tragic event that is difficult to talk about. I won’t besmirch the character someone who is not comfortable discussing this aspect their life. I would note that, in the face of such tragedy, Kelly had the presence of mind and character of a leader NOT to make the loss about him as a ranking Four-Star General; acknowledging that he does not hold a monopoly on loss and that there are many that were under his command that suffered loss and had tragically died as well. That is the reaction of a leader that could easily have been very public at the time, but chose not too. I would caveat this that I don’t think anyone would have (or should have) come out against him if he had either; but as a public figure and leader it took great courage and stoicism to keep such anguish from the public eye so as not to marginalize others falling victim to the same experience. Trump’s piece of outrageous political theater is selfish, narcissism (redundant?) at it’s worse.

As a side note: Trump is full of lies about presidential notification of families…but John Kelly’s original statement to Trump about Presidents not calling all families was taking horribly out of context. We’ve been involved in two wars for over a decade with thousands of lives claimed. It would be unreasonable to expect a presidential phone call to EVERY family (MOST presidents actually are very busy and work very hard…versus Donald Trump, our Golfer-in-Chief). I’ll add, at least a letter, or appearance at a memorial event typically can replace such a personal act of kindness and outreach.

John Kelly Remains a Military Veteran

This next commentary may sound like criticism (perhaps it is to a certain degree) but ultimately I’m only trying to place his own actions and reactions in recent days into the greater context of military Culture.

John Kelly served our nation in a distinguished military career, rising through the ranks of the Marine Corps over the course of his life. I’ll say, from my own experience, you don’t depart the military after a long and storied career without keeping artifacts of the military culture in your life.

We support our Chain of Command. As Military Leaders (honestly, good leaders in general), we may disagree with the policies and decisions of our higher chain of command. Yet, despite these misgivings we “soldier on.” We continue to have our chain of command’s back. To speak ill of our own leaders and spread dissension in the ranks diminishes our capacity to carry out our missions; as doubt and misgivings can be toxic and spread easily throughout the ranks. Exceptions to this particular cultural artifact is when unethical, immoral, or illegal orders are given.

The Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers aren’t the only leaders. There is the concept that those of us in uniform are ALL leaders. As such the point made above applies to the highest generals to the newly initiated private.

Military professionals find political discussion to be an anathema. The idea of a military coup or outright revolt by our military is very real concern and was part of the framing of our government through our constitution. We answer to our civilian leadership. We pledge ourselves to the defense of the constitution; no singular individual. As such, while service-members are free to hold their own political opinions and viewpoints; to engage on such topics in an official capacity or whilst in uniform is a violation of Defense Department Policy and can result in disciplinary action. Ultimately, it’s designed to ensure that the military cannot not act unilaterally in the political arena and remind us that elected officials are the ones that ultimately direct the military.

Military Leaders are typically more conservative. This point flies in the face of our disconnect from political discussion…yet it’s true. The officer corps is generally more conservative. I’ll follow up further in the next point, but conservative America has claimed an unfair and purely false monopoly on National Security Issues and military service (according to GOP rhetoric). Almost as an impulse, we would praise George W. Bush and decry Barack Obama because one is a Republican and the other is a Democrat. We are spellbound by the myth that Republicans believe in a strong military and support our troops, whereas Democrats are bleeding hearts, that hate the military. This is a false narrative that, frankly, the Democrats have failed to address. I have seen the military transform over the years, and as millennials have entered into service those politics are changing slightly…you also see those same politics changing as we see persons from more diverse walks of life enter the ranks of the military as well.

We are diverse and mirror America in its plurality, but also in its privilege. I am proud of the diversity of our armed forces. We are an organization composed of Men, Women, Christians, Jews, Muslims, LGBTQ, Straight, Cisgender, persons of all shades of color, citizens and non-citizens, immigrants, etc. The list goes on and on. Generally speaking, the military manages to bring these diverse groups together and work mostly harmoniously by striving towards a common goal/mission. Having said that…I feel the demographics of military leadership does not represent that plurality as it should. I’ll note, I HAVE NO DATA TO BACK THIS UP! This is purely anecdotal! Officers are mostly straight white men, privileged to have gone to college, a military academy, or achieved success as an enlisted service-member and have gone through Officer Candidate School. Yes, there are women officers. There are Black officers. There are Latino officers. I imagine, however, if comparing demographics and percentages, this is not a proportional representation of our rank and file enlisted soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines.

Complaining is generally not tolerated. We have jobs to do. So, “complaining” is actively frowned upon, and if one does it loudly and often enough you get labeled as a “dirt bag.” The “suck it up, and drive on” mentality is alive and well…and this organizationally-imposed stoicism is part of how we define a “good” soldier or leader.

We take some offense at Civilians commenting on Military issues. This is true. I would even go so far that many in the military community have an active distaste for non-military individuals, using “civilian” as an epithet at times when talking about them. I occasionally have remnants of this come up in the back of my mind as well, but I’m mindful and try not to let it poison my logic, reason, and sense of humanity. We veterans and active duty service members would be better served remembering we serve to protect and safeguard our nation, our constitution and our fellow Americans (citizens or otherwise). We serve the American people: Civilians. We started life as civilians. Most of our families and friends are civilians. Those who have chosen or have been unable to serve may lack some of the experiences military veterans may have…but we all belong to the same community of humanity. Those without that experience, would do well to consider that…but a lack of military experience or context does not negate your ability to hold an opinion or viewpoint. Finally, you need not be a military to experience loss or find Trump’s lack of empathy repulsive.

Our Core Set of Values are part of our identity. I can only speak for the Army, but the Army Values and the Soldier’s Creed are essential elements drilled into us from the start of our careers. I still have the Army Values memorized and (with some hesitation and maybe some help) can still recite the Soldier’s Creed.

The Soldier’s Creed

I am an American Soldier.

I am a warrior and a member of a team.

I serve the people of the United States, and live the Army Values.

I will always place the mission first.

I will never accept defeat.

I will never quit.

I will never leave a fallen comrade.

I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills.

I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself.

I am an expert and I am a professional.

I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy, the enemies of the United States of America in close combat.

Here comes the actual critique. We like to say, “General” Kelly. Indeed he served with distinction, something Donald Trump can’t say…but he’s not a General anymore; neither is Jim Mattis. They now have the privilege to carry the moniker of “Mister.” Transitioning from military service is a difficult process; I can only imagine the transition is monumentally more challenging when entering the public spotlight of politics.

In any of our lives, it behooves us not to openly rebel against our boss…yet, Kelly’s statement against Congresswoman Wilson feels like a statement from a military commander trying to get the “troops” back in line. Congressmen and women are not subordinate military personnel. The Press corps is not a military unit. As a public figure and public servant with a platform that has access to hundreds of millions of Americans, there’s a level of responsibility that requires a calm and balanced approach; redirecting us to the issues that are dividing us. John Kelly may think he can “whip us into” shape by directing us towards unity, yet, his approach has only brought ire upon himself and done nothing to resolve the deep divides in our nation created by the Man-Child-in-Chief in the Oval Office (I’m writing this on a Friday, so likely, Trump is not actually in the Oval Office…he’s probably golfing in Bedminister at the moment).

My Final Charge to the Reader

These are trying times, without a doubt. We want nothing but to see Trump’s staff openly oppose him or resign…but let’s be realistic. I don’t think it’s in John Kelly’s character to openly oppose Trump. If he’s critiquing Trump at all, it’s behind closed doors. It’s an admirable characteristic, even if he is trying to publicly support his “chain of command.” Despite having said that, however, I feel he is wrong in this approach as I could not in good conscience support a hateful, cruel, ignorant, and incompetent leader that has divided our nation, given a platform to hate-mongers, used fear to inspire the ignorant and terrify the rest. Truly, who knows what candid conversations Kelly has attempted to have with his boss. I don’t. His work may be behind the scenes, impervious to the view of the general public…this is a topic where I attempt to wear a hopeful aspect, at least for the moment.

For the record, were I in Kelly’s position…I would speak out and resign. We lauded Kelly as the “adult in the room.” It seems that there are two options:

Kelly has failed to temper the mercurial Donald Trump; and Trump can’t be directed or taught.

More terrifying: John Kelly has actually succeeded in tempering the Mercurial Donald Trump…could it be that Kelly’s actions like stealing Trump’s phone or dangling shiny objects in front of his face to distract the Orange Man-Child-in-Chief, he has actually averted even more outrageous policy directives and outbursts. Again…terrifying.

Back to John Kelly…Ultimately, I feel Kelly is framing his response within the context of his own emotions and experience. Mourning and loss is hard and emotional. I think Kelly’s is of the mind such things are to be kept private and out of the public eye. This is where he is coming from and this is why he has reacted in the way he did. La David Johnson’s Family has every right to engage whoever they please and I have yet to hear them come out against Congresswoman Wilson (correct me if I’m wrong). So this is where Kelly’s logic fails, not everyone is John Kelly. The reaction of Black Non-Commissioned Officer’s family is not the same as a White Four-Star General.

I only ask, that if we choose to speak out. Let’s try and consider what we say and Tweet:

Try not to Lose sight of the real issues. Four Soldiers have been tragically killed and their families and communities are dealing with that.

Allow the families and communities to mourn. Many of us have gone through loss. Let the mourners control the direction of the narrative and the issues for the time being. Politicizing them is inherently selfish on our part…so let’s dig deep into our own humanity and respect that. (I’m not saying we blind ourselves to the realities of Trump and his White House…let’s just try and keep our respect for the families in mind please).

Let’s try not to “hate” John Kelly (at least for the time being). Perspective and context are key in understanding issues and people in all circumstances. An apoplectic attack on John Kelly truly achieves nothing and diminishes ourselves in the process.

Are you feeling like you’ve been taking crazy pills? Do you disagree? Well…I’d like to hear your thoughts too. Please feel free to Comment, share, and like. Also, subscribe to ensure you get the latest updates. You can also follow me on twitter @streamingdan82

]]>https://streamingdan.com/2017/10/20/john-kelly/feed/01w96mqstreamingdan82CaptureBaghdad Journals – Coming Soon to an eBook Near You! (And a Request for Feedback)https://streamingdan.com/2017/10/18/streamingdan-ebook/
https://streamingdan.com/2017/10/18/streamingdan-ebook/#respondWed, 18 Oct 2017 18:54:09 +0000http://streamingdan.com/?p=3916]]>Some of you may be wondering, “Hey! What happened to StreamingDan?” Indeed, I haven’t been posting regularly the past month or so…and not from a lack of material, as my backlog is filled to the brim with half-begun articles. Truth be told, I’ve become rather fatigued by current events and this modest side-project has had to take a back seat to my other endeavors in life.

Having said that, I present to you a sneak peek at one of those projects! This is one that I’ve been working on for some time now: an excerpt from the book I’m currently working on. Relying heavily on my extensive journal entries during my first combat deployment abroad with the army; recounting my experiences in Baghdad over ten years ago (2007-2008).

August 22, 2007 – 1244 hours

Yesterday “Firas,” one of the Jaysh-al Mahdi (JAM) Company commanders, called us with a tip on a kidnapped Sheikh. Firas claims that he is part of the “real” JAM. Supposedly, the “real” JAM is involved only in community outreach (fuel distribution, finding homes for needy Shi’a, etc.). Our impressions are that he is attempting to convince us he is a reliable informant so that he can set us up for something nasty later. For example, he could conceivably provide a tip on an Improvised Explosive Device (IED)…we investigate it…and then he uses that same IED to blow us up.

We rescued the Sheikh using 1LT Moore and SFC North’s tank Platoon. We found him handcuffed to a staircase in a home in M897. He is actually from M887.

They brought Sheikh Abdullah to the Combat Outpost (COP). I definitely recognized him from when he came to speak with us before. According to his statement he was taken and beaten. That element of the story seemed to check out as he definitely showed us bruises from being kicked on his side, punched in the head, and his broken fingers. The captors’ plan was to kill him that day. Sheikh Abdullah had two suspicions:

They simply wanted to steal his car

One of his associates informed on him to JAM, regarding his previous work with us. He claimed he recognized his captors as residents of his neighborhood.

As one would expect, given the circumstances, he thanked God for sparing him. It’s most certainly a new feeling for me…seeing not only someone who has been kidnapped, but to see someone who you recognize that has gone through that ordeal.

I remember seeing him clean and pristine in his sheikh’s robes and headdress before – but seeing him dirty, bruised, and beaten really serves as a reminder as to the brutal realities these people live with every day.

Reporting now indicates that due to the pressure from us, Firas is planning on leaving the country…as he is gathering all his citizenship and personal paperwork together.

On another note, I’m still working contracts for the neighborhoods, as well as the numerous security contracts we have. 1LT Parker was kind enough to go on leave without giving us a heads up – so I’m now working through SSG Morton. I gave them our contractors’ contact information yesterday. I just called Ali (from the Legend of Iraq Company, referred to us by Abu Jaleel) today and he informed me that they had yet to contact him. It seems as though everything is a struggle with these guys up at battalion.

Deployment Day: 197

Are you interested in reading more? Please let me know! This modest volume is a work-in-progress and feedback is always appreciated. Things you could expect to see in the final product:

Annotations and notes, on recollections not covered in the journal entries; and how (upon reflecting on these entries) my own views and opinions have shifted over the years; shaped by my experiences both in and out of the Army.

As you may be well aware from reading this blog, I love a soap box, so you can expect to find some color commentary associated with the topic as well.

Pictures! For those of you that crave stimulating visuals to accompany your reading, I’ll be diving into my library of digital photos.

An honest, and unvarnished accounting of my year and a half experience being deployed to Iraq. There is some light editing, I’ll be honest on that, but edits will be confined to:

Altering names to protect individual identities

Correction of shameful typos, misspellings, and grammatical errors. Most of my journal entries were hand-written, and done so in haste…as a result I wish to correct these errors ten years after-the-fact.

Clarification of Terms and Acronyms as required.

As a potential reader of this volume I’d solicit some of initial feedback as I’m still continuing transcribing my entries…and have yet to include any annotations, commentary, introductions, etc.

In Non-Fiction one sees a list of acronyms at the start of book. I thought to depart from the Norm and define acronyms as they are mentioned in the main body of the book’s text. As a reader, which do you find more appealing/easier to utilize?

Would you ACTUALLY be interested in a book filled with journal entries and commentaries chronicling events from 10 years ago?

Finally, I’m still quite some time away from final publication…I have to finish my draft…review…edit…check again for spelling…etc…Yet, some initial formatting choices are shaped by whether I deliver this as an eBook or Print Book (or both). Be interested to here your preferred version.

Ultimately, this is my story to tell, but I still feel your feedback and input can still help me grow and become better writer. Thanks for reading. Also, don’t forget to follow me on twitter @streamingdan82.

]]>https://streamingdan.com/2017/10/18/streamingdan-ebook/feed/010400972_35325626797_7825_nstreamingdan82A Series of Deplorable Events: Trump’s Tally of Horrific Statements and Acts.https://streamingdan.com/2017/09/11/a-series-of-deplorable-events-trumps-tally-of-horrific-statements-and-acts/
https://streamingdan.com/2017/09/11/a-series-of-deplorable-events-trumps-tally-of-horrific-statements-and-acts/#commentsMon, 11 Sep 2017 17:00:22 +0000http://streamingdan.com/?p=3459]]>This was not initially intended as an article per-say. It’s more of a tally of Trump Offenses during his, at the time of writing. I was actually trying to compose an un-threaded tweet regarding this problem, but quite obviously encountered challenges when confined to a mere 140 characters. I’m not a big fan of threading tweets. This “simple” concept, quickly ballooned into a full-fledged article as the outrage and my inner author’s muse started to kick in.

Anyways, the point I want to make before we see the tally is that on a weekly basis we have been treated to new outrages and acts of villainy, hatred, and outright contempt aimed at the American people by Donald J. Trump. The great challenge the progressive and liberal American faces when confronted with such outrages is that most all these outrages are equally deplorable. To not stand up and resist and protest each one welcomes disaster and forces us to divide our attention. Neglecting one heinous act or statement in favor of the latest.

We as resisters have an obligation and heavy responsibility to keep all these horrific events in our minds; lest we give the Mad King Donald the breathing room and momentarily relief to either enact or further his vicious policies. This cannot be allowed to happen.

Among the many options available (Resignation, Invocation of the 25th Amendment, and Impeachment), my instincts tell me that impeachment from the finding’s of Mueller’s Investigations are our best options to oust this hate-monger, demagogue, and tyrant masquerading as the President. As such, Donald Trump’s alleged collusion with Russia should never be far from our consciousness; most especially as he continues to alienate the the GOP leadership in both the House and Senate. Whether these political cowards do anything about it, remains to be seen.

As you’ll see a Tweet simply isn’t suitable. Here is the tally, in no particular order.

A Tally of Donald Trump’s Heinous acts as President

Collusion with an Adversarial State: Allegedly (and very likely) colluded with Russia to win the election in exchange for Kompromat, favors, and anything else the Russian Oligarchs demand of Trump.

He Fired FBI Director James Comey: Fearful of the encroaching Russian Collusion scandal, Donald Trump gaffed by firing Comey, starting a long chain of events that are continuing to unravel to this day. Convention, protocol, that the Checks and Balances of our government mean nothing to this ignorant and tyrannical creature.

Attacks on Free Press: Has consistently come out against the free press, making “Fake News” a common part of our American lexicon. On top of that he has attacked journalists’ patriotism and labeled them the “Enemy of the American People.” Orwellian to say the least, most especially with his propaganda machine run by his family through “TrumpTV” and it’s so-called “real news.” In the worst case scenario I see the following events cascading towards destroying our Free Press and marching us ever closer to the precipice of tyranny as country with a single State-Run News outlet:

He’ll continue to prop up his propagandists at Fox news.

An Alt-Right mob of Trump Supporters beats up a journalist with no consequences or convictions (on the micro-level we saw this with the Gianforte debacle)

Trump Sues Journalists and Institutions criticizing him and reporting the facts. (Finding a way to change existing laws on libel is something that he’s contemplated and explored)

Trump sends the Department of Justice after CNN, the New York Times, or Washington post.

Trump goes after bloggers and the internet; Trump’s DoJ is already trying to acquire data from the Anti-Trump website from DreamHost.

Sought to Destroy Millions of Americans Healthcare, and failed: Haunted by the Obama legacy, and likely secretly envious of the 44th President, Trump has directed his GOP cronies in the Senate and Congress to not just Repeal and Replace the Affordable Care Act, but in failing to either, endorses simply Repealing it with no workable solution.

Loves Police Brutality: When addressing police officers in New York he “joked” that police brutality would be fine, citing erroneous anecdotes about Latino gang violence.

Wants to Build a Wall on the Mexican Border: Not just impractical, but is demanding Mexico pays for it. Since Mexico has made it abundantly clear they won’t pay for it, the burden of implementing this racist, xenophobic, costly, and ineffectual barrier is now being placed on us, the American tax-payer.

Threatening to repeal DACA: Again, the Latino community is getting hit hard by the Trump Administration. Dreamers have spent their entire lives building lives and careers in the United States and have been contributing to the economic growth of the country and paying taxes..now he wants to deport these people for living in our country through no fault of their own.

Made Kim Jong Un Sane and Reasonable by Comparison: Not only is Trump easily baited, he has actively thrown out inflammatory rhetoric towards North Korea; promising “Fire and Fury” and claiming that talk and diplomacy are signs of “weakness.” He has proven that he’s easily baited by North Korean Saber rattling and through his words further destabilized Asia as well as the very lives of millions of Americans, Koreans, and Japanese.

Islamaphobe: Trump’s Muslim Travel ban failed to pass the muster of the courts the first time. Citing National security, he has been trying to keep Muslims out of this country…strangely enough, failing to address the fact that the major exporters of terrorism are not on his list.

Homophobe/Trans-phobe: He’s questioned the patriotism and loyalty of Transgender Americans serving this nation and putting their lives on the line for our enduring national security. He cites erroneous data that the military is disrupted by trans people and money is being spent on transgender medical care, even though it is not disruptive and the Army spends more on Viagra than gender re-allocation therapy and surgery. Fortunately, our military professionals have at least have done everything they can to drag their feet, stall, and disregard Trump on this position…for now.

Racist: Asides from botching what would easily be an easy way to earn political points by denouncing the Racists in Charlottesville, he continues give words of encouragement to the “very nice” people who are aligned as Alt-Right, White Supremacists, Fascist Neo-Nazis, and many more.

Announced US Withdrawal from the Paris Accord: As one who disregards science and as a climate change denier, he has appointed his fellow privileged cronies to key positions in the administration. Scott Pruitt and Rick Perry are not only climate change deniers, but have also sought to dismantle the very agencies they represent. The Racist and Homophobe, Sam Clovis is up for nomination for the post of “chief scientist” at the USDA. He’s not a scientist, he’s an alt-right talk show nut job. We have been blessed with having governors and mayors that remain committed to the Paris Agreement and the world has, for the most part, doubled down on their efforts to combat climate change to refute Trump’s blatant disregard of science and empirical evidence.

Pardoned Racist Joe Arpaio: (See #7). Not only has Trump defied proper protocols of the Presidential Pardon, he has pardoned a cruel, virulent racist, and generally evil Man. If you haven’t done a deep dive into Arpaio’s offenses, you really should…Not only did Arpaio profile Latinos for no other reason than the color of their skin, he placed them in “concentration camps” (Arpaio’s OWN words), but inflicted cruelties that could truly be described as torture on these poor individuals. The action itself is despicable and on its own, and impeachable offense but sends very troubling messages:

It tells the law enforcement community that the Rule of Law means nothing. Police can defy the orders of the courts with no consequences and if you are a racist wearing a police uniform, the President has your back.

It serves as a test of his pardoning powers in the face of the Russian Collusion case. If Mueller calls witnesses to testify in his investigation, and those same witnesses refuse the summons, they will be held in contempt. This opens the door that the President could pardon his friends and allies that defy Mueller in his investigation.

As a Side Note: Arpaio was pardoned for Criminal Contempt, but I assert that a new criminal case be initiated against him for his cruelties and open disregard for basic human decency and the rule of law.

Tried to Hitler Youth-a-nize the Boy Scouts: The Boy Scout Jamboree was unnecessarily politicized by Trump in what could have been a speech about community service, treasuring the beauty of the outdoors, and other noble non-partisan topics. Instead, he went off-script and ranted about Healthcare, the media, and his political enemies to a captive audience.

He’s destroying our Trade Agreements: Trump has already withdrawn from the Trans Pacific Partnership and would further demolish our trade agreement with our neighbors, Mexico and Canada, by renegotiating or withdrawing completely from the North American Free Trade Agreement. He has even expressed a desire for tariffs.

He’s bankrupting the Secret Service and the Taxpayers: With regular vacations to his extravagant clubs and golf course every weekend…to include a three-week “working” vacation (I’ve been gainfully employed for almost 20 years of my life, and I’ve never taken a 3-week vacation). He is proving he is the LEAST hard-working president to date. These trips, however are costing us Millions in taxpayer dollars, and the Secret Service is having difficulty coping with the financial requirements. Furthermore…it’s corrupt. His vacations are promoting his businesses and Federal Employees (e.g.: the Secret Service Agents) end up renting golf carts and lodging with government money…that ultimately goes right back into Donald Trump’s pocket.

He has Paralyzed the Legislative Branch of Government: Using fear tactics and bullying, he has beaten the GOP into submission. In this laundry list I’m certain I’ve forgotten a myriad of other terrible things, yet, despite it all Republicans remain silently moored to this great millstone of a president that will ultimately sink the party. Only recently are we seeing small cracks to appear on the facade of republican party unity. Yet, these cracks only started to form as Trump continues to turn on his own party openly, and publicly; a selfish attempt to save face in with the shadow of the 2018 midterms looming. The republican party and it’s politicians have become a lost cause (some remain emblems of bi-partisanship and persons of conscience, such as Senator John McCain) as political cowards like Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan avoid alienating the Trump base of deplorable racists. If you rely on the support of racists and other hate-mongers, perhaps you should re-examine your political and social platforms.

Has Continued to Voice his love of Crowd Size to the Detriment of Portraying Empathy. Not going into detail on this but, Hurricane Harvey is the prime example here.

Makes Decisions on Policy Without knowing Anything About Them. Trump’s deal with the Democrats over the Debt Ceiling was his singular smart move. Regrettably, he made the decision out of ignorance and for the wrong reasons. It just so happens it favors the Democrats and the Government’s ability to pay its bills without incurring an global economic disaster. I also am convinced he, like many Americans, has no concept of what the “Debt Ceiling” really is. He also managed to confuse Health Insurance with Life Insurance.

He’s Turned the White House into a Reality TV Show filled with Betrayal and Unnecessary Drama. Oh, sing us the song of the vanquished, the shamed and disgraced!. The story of Spicer, Priebus, Scaramucci, Banon and Gorka leaves us with conflicted feelings (I sense that Rex Tillerson and Gary Cohn will likely be resigning before the year is out). We celebrate their ignominious departures…yet we still decry the Office-in-fighting (more akin to a reality TV show than a cohesive staff charged with the governance of our nation) that led to their departures. The deplorable nobles of the court of King Donald the Mad spend more time gaining favor with their liege than doing their job and steering policy. We were vaguely hopeful that John Kelly would bring order to the White House Staff, and at the lower echelons he has likely been moderately successful…but his ability to control the President himself has been a colossal failure. Just think: You thought your job was terrible?! Well, you could have the job of Baby Sitting Donald Trump and corralling his senior staff of incompetents, unqualifieds, over-privilegeds, and deplorables.

UPDATES: 9/21/17

Embarrassed himself and our nation at the U.N. General Assembly. Not only has he decided to coin a pet-nickname to Kim Jong Un which is wholly un-professional and un-presidential act, even when referring to an equally unhinged autocrat; but his bombastic rhetoric (See #8)continues to enflame the situation. He threatens to destroy North Korea and his millions of brainwashed innocents. Words have both power. Which is ultimately scarier? Trump knows what he’s doing, or his a fool, drunk on power and oblivious to reality stupidly taking every piece of North Korean bait that is dangled before his orange, hate-filled face. He also espoused and promoted nationalism and the world either listened attentively or cringed collectively. Also, in a complete act of ignorance, stupidity, and outright racism he essentially espoused corporate colonialism, through his version of praise: telling African leaders that his white, privileged friends love Africa and will enrich themselves further on the backs of Africa.

Trump’s White House tries to get a private citizen fired. For the innocent act of stating the truth (if I were to be un-biased I’d edit that and say: opinion instead), Donald Trump is a White Supremacist, his White House (likely with his tacit endorsement) has called on ESPN to fire Jemele Hill. It’s bullying, it crosses the line of legality and decency, and it sets a horrific precedent. If calling the President names and coming out against the administration is a fire-able offense…then millions of fellow Americans and resisters are equally guilty of this make-believe sin.

He won’t let TrumpCare Die. He’s now pushing the Graham-Cassidy Bill in yet another attempt to rob people of their healthcare. Is it reasonable that states should have control over their affairs? Certainly. Yet, once again, the GOP is demonstrating they are legislating in both ignorance and desperation in an effort to not improve our lives, but to childishly spite Obama by dismantling-all-things-Obama. The resurrection of this debate makes for a good argument that it’s not TrumpCare…it’s ZombieCare, it not only will never die but it only benefits the dead and is a threat to the living.

The Man-Child retweets racists and CyberBullies: It’s embarrassing and childish to see the President retweet Racists as well as spread violent and bullying GIFs. I refer specifically to the Golf Ball Hitting Hillary GIF that many are now aware of. No further words are needed beyond the above.

He Continues to Voice his Support for Autocrats and War Criminals. Donald Trump gave “top marks” to Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Need we construct a list of Donald Trump’s Evil Facebook Friends list? Glad I asked!

He Loves his Handler: Vladimir Putin (Easy one)

Likes how Rodrigo Duterte Murders his own people and encourages his government to murder en masse in his brutal anti-drug campaign

Before he started calling Kim Jong Un names, he previously had decided he was a “smart cookie” and expressed how “honored” he’d be to meet the madman threatening nuclear war and the obliteration of South Korea and Japan.

Continues in the long tradition of all American Presidents (democrat and republican, let’s be real here) of propping up the misogynist and oppressive Saudi Regime in exchange for oil.

Abdel Fattah el-Sissi is a hard one for me to list…but let’s be honest, Sissi is an autocrat and I’d be negligent and guilty of HEAVY bias for not including him here. Truth be told though…Sissi’s relationship with the Egyptian people and his own effort to reform and transform Egypt is a complex issue, one I’ll have to go into more in-depth on when I write on Egypt on my ongoing “Reflection of Travel in the Middle East” series.

During the Election, he’s praised the child-killing, chemical weapons-using and all around “bad hombre,” Bashar al-Assad of being worthy of “top marks” for leadership.

While talking about middle east dictators, during the election, Trump was more then happy to state that both Muammar Qaddafi and Saddam Hussein were good because they killed terrorists, never mind the slaughter of their own people

Saddam Hussein (see: #8)

Note: I must say it. The ins and outs and complexities of international foreign policy, national security, and regional stability are tough topics, yet to be so blatant in praise of questionable “allies,” “frenemies,” and outright adversaries not only emboldens these oppressive and murderous regimes…it sends a message to the world and nations on the brink of falling prey to chaos and disorder that America endorses these people openly and encourages genocide and the imprisonment, torture and murder of civilians. Because Donald Trump has NO moral compass, I foresee the world will soon label the United States as pariahs, bereft of values and common decency…the U.N. has already started that process by censuring us in a strongly-worded letter reserved for such dictators as listed above.

PLACEHOLDER FOR NEXT WEEK’S OUTRAGEOUS AND DEPLORABLE STATEMENT OR ACT FROM TRUMP (IT’S COMING).

Please Note: I built this list very quickly and off the top of my head, so it’s certainly likely I missed a deplorable event. Let me know in your comments!

So, this is long and torturous list of offenses. I have some rather grim prognostications on the future of American Democracy. I don’t wish to be alarmist in anyway, but we have to consider that many tyrants, with some exceptions, did not subvert democratic governments into totalitarian regimes in a single day. It happened through slow processes so that a complacent citizenry wouldn’t notice the hostile takeover of government was occurring until it was too late. Fortunately, we have an engaged and passionate Resistance Community that won’t let Trump get away with this…but for this very reason is why we can’t let up the pressure and must remain ever vigilant and continue to speak out and stand up until this nightmare is over. If we give Donald Trump an inch, he and his supporters will try and abscond off with mile.

Are you feeling like you’ve been taking crazy pills? Well…I’d like to hear your thoughts too. Please feel free to Comment, share, and like. Also, subscribe to ensure you get the latest updates. You can also follow me on twitter @streamingdan82

]]>https://streamingdan.com/2017/09/11/a-series-of-deplorable-events-trumps-tally-of-horrific-statements-and-acts/feed/1A Series of Deplorable Events_Donald Trumpstreamingdan82Reflections on Travels through the Middle East: Jordanhttps://streamingdan.com/2017/09/08/jordan-travel/
https://streamingdan.com/2017/09/08/jordan-travel/#respondFri, 08 Sep 2017 21:08:41 +0000http://streamingdan.com/?p=3358]]>My former life as an Army officer afforded me a myriad of opportunities to travel and see the world. My journeys to Iraq and Afghanistan may have added to the rich tapestry of my life experience, but they are far from what I would consider “enjoyable” adventures. Despite these experiences, I continued to immerse myself in the culture, language, and political affairs of the Arab World. For my efforts, I was rewarded with the opportunity to travel the middle east and work with the State Department for over a year. Digging through my records, I’ve uncovered some of my older pieces of writing on the matter (circa 2013-2014). Hopefully, it provides some interesting insights into the region.

Jordan

Objectives of my Trip:

The purpose for my trip to Jordan was to assess the effects of the Syrian Crisis on the Kingdom of Jordan. I chose as my central research question: How is Jordan being affected by the Syrian Crisis and what are the chances for Jordanian intervention?

Preparation

I coordinated with the [U.S. Embassy in Amman] who coordinated for my embassy briefs. At the time of my visit, Refugee Camp Visitations were strictly off limits to [visitors such as myself]. In order to prepare for my trip I read the Congressional Research Service’s Paper: “Jordan: Background and U.S. Relations (April 1, 2013).”

Note: The article, “Jordan: Background and U.S. Relations” has since been updated. Current issue is June 1, 2017. To those who have been consistently reading this series of articles, you’ll note I spend a lot of time preparing for these trips by referencing the Congressional Research Service. It is a great resource for gaining insight into U.S. Policy, as it is the comprised of various staff members that research and provide these reports to Members of Congress that either serve on various committees, but also used by Policy Decision-makers to prepare for meetings and travel.

Analysis

From the very onset of my [life working and living abroad in the Middle East], I was encouraged to front-load my trip to Jordan in my [itinerary], due to instability in neighboring Syria. As a result, the question of Jordan’s own stability was foremost in my mind. In a country where the minority are the Hashemite Arabs and the Majority is comprised of Palestinians (many now patriated Jordanian citizens), Iraqis, and now Syrian Refugees, the kingdom is asking some very hard questions of itself in regards to reform in order to appease the largely non-Jordanian population. In addition to this, Jordan’s Resource-Poor environment is strained further with the influx of hundreds of thousands of Syrian Refugees. This was further illustrated to me when I found that over $30 million dollars in Foreign Aid ($10 million for education and $20 million for water) is allocated for Syrian Refugees exclusively in Jordan. This financial aid is supplemented by a $200 million Cash Transfer to assist Jordan with the Syrian Refugee Crisis in general.

Graph pulled from the Washington Post

I would note the figures for U.S. aid provided to Jordan have changed. Yet, overall, Jordan continues to top the charts as 5th largest recipient of U.S. Foreign Aid (as of 2016); receiving over $1 Billion dollars in economic & development assistance and Security Assistance funds.

Jordan’s position in regards to refugees is further complicated by conditions imposed on Jordan (by the United States) regarding $200 million dollars in military aid: Refugees can neither be forced out of Jordan nor can they be refused entry, and basic services (medical and education) must be provided to them. When travelling further north, more and more people (mainly children in Jerash) will claim they are Syrian refugees/orphans from the Syrian Conflict. Whether these claims are all valid is up to debate, however, it does provide different perspective when conversing with these young people (just be cautious, as they will try and ask for money or a visa to the United States).

As an American private citizen abroad, if ever asked about a United States Visa, always, refer them to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate (or ignore them entirely). You neither possess the authority or influence to make any commitments to potential visitors/immigrants. Also, there are processes in place that you simply cannot bypass, nor affect by giving a complete stranger a recommendation or letter. We want to help and be empathetic, but you could ultimately do more harm than good by making promises you cannot fulfill.

King Abdullah II prepares for a military Jump with his troops on a training exercise

Jordan remains stable for the time being (as of 2013). King Abdullah II is attempting to steer his country closer to a Constitutional Monarchy more akin to Great Britain’s where he would occupy the role of a symbolic Head of State, but these efforts require a great deal of his influence to set the stage for success in Jordan, so, for the time being the Monarchy in Jordan will continue to function as it; an office that holds very wide executive and legislative powers, the position of Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, as well as the authority to appoint a Prime Minister and heads of the security directorates.

I also had an opportunity to meet with representatives from USAID. An interesting detail mentioned in my briefing with USAID, was that they are not allowed to work or subsidize any United Nations Agency’s program. As a result, because Palestinians fall under U.N. programs, USAID is not involved with Palestinian refugees in Jordan (additionally, it was added that, for the most part, many Palestinians today enjoy Jordanian citizenship and thus are not given extra aid).

The question that one ultimately must ask when visiting Jordan is: Why is the U.S. Government investing billions of dollars into a middle-east nation with no strategic resources? The answer is simply that Jordan is the eye of the storm in a turbulent region rife with conflict. Consider Jordan’s Neighbors: Extremist Wahabis in Saudi Arabia, Iraq (and its various forms of sectarian strife and instability), Syrians involved in what some might assess as a “civil war” to the north, and Egypt with its habitual revolutions just across the Gulf of Aqaba. Consider also that Syria’s instability already is threatening Lebanon’s own internal security, and the ever-present boogeyman of Middle East Arab regimes: Israel lies just to the West. In comparison Jordan is a paradise of moderation and stability. The United States’ Government presence here is intended to support, foster, and ensure the continuation of this stability.

So to actually answer my central research question I will close with the following: Jordan’s resources (Water being a prime example of a resource we, as Americans, don’t fully appreciate or understand as being a catalyst for instability when it’s unavailable) are being strained by the Syrian Crisis. The influx of Syrian refugees starts raising questions of their status in Jordan and has also further exacerbated the questions of the legitimacy of the Monarchy among the Palestinian community. It is a tenuous situation that a pessimist can easily fabricate the worst case scenarios for…but it is also certainly within the realm of possibility that the world can at least facilitate a cease-fire or lessening of hostilities to a point where the entire region is not under threat of exploding into a regional conflict.

Ouch! So, revisiting this report drafted in 2013 really brings our current situation into stark contrast. I seem to have been considerably more optimistic four years ago.

Also, it was not covered in my report while in Jordan, but my visitations of the Jordanian International Police Training Center and Prince Al-Hussein Bin Abdullah II Academy of Civil Protection were particularly enlightening with regards to the level and type of support that the Jordanian Government provides to the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. You will have to see my report (published sometime in the near future) from my trip to Isreal…my brief time in Israel took me back across the King Hussein Bridge into Jordan for a day.

In many ways the cultural shock came during my visit to the U.S. Embassy in Amman. Coming from a relatively small diplomatic mission in the Sultanate of Oman and having just visited Morocco, the U.S. Mission in Jordan is enormous. The embassy stands as a testament to the importance of the region (as a relatively stable and moderate actor in the middle east) and sheer volume of U.S. Aid that flows not only from the military but from organizations such as USAID. The U.S. diplomatic mission to Syria also hangs its proverbial hat at the Mission in Amman for the time being (as you will note, the Embassy in Damascus has been closed since 2012).

Driving through more remote areas of the country en route to Petra or Aqaba, the lack of government influence is readily apparent. In no way did I ever feel my life was in danger, but it was a reminder from my briefs that King Abdullah II had made agreements with tribal leaders in regards to their ability to police themselves. Which leads me to my final note about the Jordanian culture: Many times as we travel in the cities and centers of tourism, one forgets the tribal nature of the country and that this is an important aspect of Arab culture that sometimes we, as cultural novices, neglect in our regional studies.

When travelling to Jordan, please ensure that you do not go “off the grid” and consult with State Department security advisories. There are tribal areas that are dangerous and you should not pass through.

Travel Tips for Jordan

Take time to talk with the Bedouins living in Petra and running the shops out there, in contrast to my trip to Morocco, I found that the Jordanian people have a respect for your space and will not hassle you into buying something you had no intention of buying…yet conversation can still remain lively and interesting over some tea. Take the time to fully explore Petra, it is a massive site with many areas and tombs you can visit (most especially, make the hike up to the Monastery). You can very easily spend two full days exploring the vast stretch of ruins.

For gifts, the U.S. Embassy has a contract with a shop in Adaba (Salam/Peace Shop), the owner is gracious and you can spend a day visiting the workshops of the woodworkers/carpet weavers/mosaic artists. Adaba is renowned for its mosaic work, while high quality works are pricey, if you’re looking for a souvenir it is a worth the investment.

Finally, pace yourself in regards to the Ruins…it can be easy to get “Roman Ruin Fatigue” after a while (that is unless you are a Classics Major from school).

It’s amazing to me, upon reflection, how little attention I have placed on some of the highlights of travelling in Jordan. It was, by far, my favorite Arab nation I visited in the Middle East. Highlights would be:

Petra (Note: I stayed at the Movenpick, which is conveniently located across the street from the entrance to Petra…if your driving yourself there, do be careful and patient. The road is full of turns and twists and barely enough space for two lanes of traffic).

The Expansive Roman Ruins at Jerash

Visitation of Mount Nebo where Moses allegedly died and from where he saw the Promised Land.

A relaxing trip to the Jordanian side of the Dead Sea

For those seeking a shorter, less expansive trip, the Citadel in Amman hosts smaller scale Roman Ruins

Something that I haven’t noted in some of my other writings on my trips would be to plug the Lonely Planet Series of Travel Guides. I planned many of my trips relying on the Lonely Planet Middle East Guide (which includes the countries of Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel and Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey) If however, you want something more targeted, the guide for Jordan is equally suitable and comprehensive.

Disclaimer: These writings constitute my own observations, opinions and viewpoints seen through the lens of a military veteran and shaped through my interactions with my professional colleagues. It in no way reflects an official statement by the US Government nor are any details being revealed that could constitute a breach in confidence or security.

Thank you for reading. Hopefully you liked this light departure from current US Domestic Affairs ravaging our country. More will follow as I continue to unearth my old records. Please comment, like, and share at your leisure. You can, as always, also follow me on Twitter @streamingdan82

If you’re a regular reader to the blog and are interested in ways you can support this site, you can visit Support the Blog and check out my Patreon Page!

]]>https://streamingdan.com/2017/09/08/jordan-travel/feed/0Amman's_panorama_with_the_greatest_flagpole_of_the_worldstreamingdan82Capturejordan-kingOff_Visit_JordanMeditating on the Words of Carl Sagan: Hope and Inspirationhttps://streamingdan.com/2017/09/01/meditating-on-the-words-of-carl-sagan-hope-and-inspiration/
https://streamingdan.com/2017/09/01/meditating-on-the-words-of-carl-sagan-hope-and-inspiration/#commentsFri, 01 Sep 2017 23:45:35 +0000http://streamingdan.com/?p=3591]]>As I construct my latest addition to this blog, I feel that something meditative and thoughtful is in order; words of hope and encouragement. I’ve recently been re-reading Carl Sagan’s Cosmos. It’s an inspiring work on science, our potential for innovation, and the miracle of our very existence. For my fellow skeptics I also recommend his book The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark. I’ve also been re-watching the new Cosmos Series; Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey with Neil Degrasse Tyson, and it’s phenomenal if you haven’t seen it already.

Consider the words from his lecture at Cornell University in 1994 to be a pleasant and bitter-sweet respite from a blog that is otherwise consumed by outrage and despair. There is light in the darkness, but it is up to us to nurture that light so as to ensure it is never extinguished.

As a member of the Voyager I imaging team, Sagan had the camera on-board Voyager turn back towards earth, and captured the faintest and palest pinprick of blue light as the probe passed Neptune (at about 3.7 billion miles away from Earth).

Carl Sagan meditated on the Pale Blue Dot. As I interpret it, he ponders the incredible significance of our insignificance within the Cosmos.

From this distant vantage point, the Earth may not seem of any particular interest; but for us, it’s different. Consider again that dot. That’s here. That’s home. That’s us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every “superstar,” every “supreme leader,” every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there – on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam.

The Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena. Think of the rivers of blood spilled by all those generals and emperors so that, in glory and triumph, they could become the momentary masters of a fraction of a dot. Think of the endless cruelties visited by the inhabitants of one corner of this pixel on the scarcely distinguishable inhabitants of some other corner, how frequent their misunderstandings, how eager they are to kill one another, how fervent their hatreds.

Our posturings, our imagined self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position in the Universe, are challenged by this point of pale light. Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark. In our obscurity, in all this vastness, there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves.

The Earth is the only world known so far to harbor life. There is nowhere else, at least in the near future to which our species could migrate. Visit, yes. Settle, not yet. Like it or not, for the moment the Earth is where we make our stand.

It has been said that astronomy is a humbling and character-building experience. There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we’ve ever known.”

— Carl Sagan, Pale Blue Dot, 1994

]]>https://streamingdan.com/2017/09/01/meditating-on-the-words-of-carl-sagan-hope-and-inspiration/feed/2Earth and Saganstreamingdan82PaleBlueDot“I am a Patriot” – A Poem Meditating on what it means to be an Americanhttps://streamingdan.com/2017/08/30/i-am-a-patriot-a-poem-meditating-on-what-it-means-to-be-an-american/
https://streamingdan.com/2017/08/30/i-am-a-patriot-a-poem-meditating-on-what-it-means-to-be-an-american/#commentsWed, 30 Aug 2017 19:05:21 +0000http://streamingdan.com/?p=3172]]>Thought I’d diverge from my normal format. I’ve been working on this project for some time now, one reason for my lengthy absence. In our current, troubled times, I was musing over the meaning of Patriotism so I’d try my hand at some free verse. I would NOT characterize myself as a poet, but thought a departure from the norm would be refreshing as well as intellectually stimulating. Special thanks go out to the good people of the Trends Like These Fan Group, who I solicited for their own definitions of patriotism; as it would be the height of arrogance to define patriotism in a vacuum on my own…so, to those among the Group that may be reading this: Thank you.

I AM A PATRIOT

I am a Patriot

People with hate in their heart

They tell me what patriotism is…

I’m told patriotism is loyalty.

I’m told patriotism is partisan.

I’m told patriotism is safety.

I’m told patriotism is our history.

I’m told patriotism is to make us “Great Again.”

I’m told patriotism is putting our country first.

I’m told patriotism is to close a door on the world.

I’m told patriotism is prosperity.

This is not Patriotism!

I am a Patriot

Patriotism is openness.

Patriotism is welcoming the World into your home.

Patriotism is celebrating the rainbow.

Patriotism exalts diversity and innovation.

Patriotism is about our communities;

Being LOCAL and GLOBAL.

I am a Patriot

Patriotism is Self-Awareness.

Patriotism is to live a life with open eyes.

Patriotism is to always question;

To stand up against oppression,

To Stand up against hatred and bigotry.

To STAND UP!

I am a Patriot

Patriotism is the light of a candle in the darkness

Patriotism is to seek out truth;

To see a nation as it is; flaws and all.

Patriotism is to aspire to more than ourselves.

Patriotism is to inspire each other;

To IMPROVE and GROW

I am a Patriot

Patriotism is to love freedom

Patriotism is to feel empathy.

Patriotism is to feel compassion.

Patriotism is to love;

To turn away from violence and division.

It is to FEEL!

I am a Patriot

Patriotism is to love your neighbor like your family

Patriotism is the courage to wrap your arms around

Multitudinous perspectives.

Patriotism to discard your privilege from your judgements.

Patriotism is to debate;

To FREELY DISAGREE.

WE ARE PATRIOTS!

Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist

Faithful, Agnostic, Atheist

Gay, Straight, Trans

White, Brown, Black

Man and Woman

Patriots.

Are.

We.

And we are strongest together;

United!

One.

]]>

https://streamingdan.com/2017/08/30/i-am-a-patriot-a-poem-meditating-on-what-it-means-to-be-an-american/feed/2streamingdan82Reflections on Travels through the Middle East: Saudi Arabiahttps://streamingdan.com/2017/08/21/saudi-arabia-travel/
https://streamingdan.com/2017/08/21/saudi-arabia-travel/#respondMon, 21 Aug 2017 20:26:48 +0000http://streamingdan.com/?p=3007]]>My former life as an Army officer afforded me a myriad of opportunities to travel and see the world. My journeys to Iraq and Afghanistan may have added to the rich tapestry of my life experience, but they are far from what I would consider “enjoyable” adventures. Despite these experiences, I continued to immerse myself in the culture, language, and political affairs of the Arab World. For my efforts, I was rewarded with the opportunity to travel the middle east and work with the State Department for over a year. Digging through my records, I’ve uncovered some of my older pieces of writing on the matter (circa 2013-2014). Hopefully, it provides some interesting insights into the region.

Saudi Arabia

Objectives of my Trip:

The purpose for my trip to Saudi Arabia was to assess the long-lasting United States partnership with Saudi Arabia, both in regards to the Kingdom’s large Oil Reserves as well as its role as a significant partner in our counter-terrorism efforts in the Arabian Peninsula.

Preparation

Coordination was made with the [US Embassy in Riyadh], who coordinated for our embassy briefs in addition to a brief with the U.S. Land Forces at Eskan Village. In order to prepare for my trip I read the Congressional Research Service’s Papers: “Saudi Arabia:Background and U.S. Relations (February 14, 2014)”

Note: The article, “Saudi Arabia: Background and U.S. Relations” has since been updated. Current issue is June 13, 2017.

Analysis
Upon first arriving to the Kingdom, I entered the country with a number of preconceptions in my mind regarding its religious conservatism. Throughout my stay,
however, I did not see any examples of this conservatism despite the obvious divisions between the sexes. One of the best places to observe this phenomenon is the Mall. At Kingdom Tower (where one can buy a ticket to get a scenic view of Riyadh), one can see how much effort is put into separating men from women, the food court is divided into the common area and a “family” area; all lines at the various food vendors are split into two, one for men and one for women, separated by a small divider; and security guard steadfastly guards the stairs and elevator to the “women’s only” floor of the mall. Though I never saw an example of harsh punishments in the city and we spent the majority of the time vainly on the watch for the Religious police, we did not see them during our time in the country. The mall was an example of how separate the sexes are in the Kingdom, and I can only imagine how our experiences in the Saudi Arabia would have significantly differed if we were women.

Reflecting on the last sentence there, I can only say to myself: “Wow, thanks Captain Obvious.” The division the sexes and oppression of Women in the Kingdom is both shameful and cruel; and while there are reformers, real change appears to be nowhere in sight in the foreseeable future.

Another preconception was that typical stereotype of the “Rich Gulf Arab.” This stereotype was most certainly not applicable in Saudi Arabia, as opposed to observable cases in locales like Qatar. Yet here, in many places one could see working-class Saudis and even poor people on the streets (this was more evident in Jeddah than in Riyadh). I had occasion to socialize and speak with my a Saudi Colleague from [my time training with the Omani Royal Air Force] and his friend. What I gleaned from this conversation is that Saudis have gone through great lengths to hide their unemployment and housing issues. One Saudi Man claimed over 80% unemployment and 70% homelessness in the Kingdom (My opinion, is that this man did not mean actual homelessness…but was in fact referring to home ownership). I am under the suspicion that these numbers are slightly inflated as this gentleman made it clear that he was one of these youthful Saudis seeking reform and would take great pleasure in a regime change; decrying the empty promises of the government and echoing the sentiment that only the royal family shares in Saudi Arabia’s great oil wealth. The economic briefing at the embassy quoted a more “reasonable number” for unemployment set at 11%.

As with many Gulf Nations, Saudi Arabia is attempting to address its unemployment
with its own flavor of “Saudi-fication” of the work-force. This, by all accounts, is a legitimate effort on the Saudi Government’s part, but falls short of proper implementation. The best example is the educational exchange program that sends young Saudis to western institutions. Regrettably, when these Saudis return to the Kingdom, the job market is not prepared to absorb these individuals’ skill sets, and so many find themselves occupying positions that are not suitable to their education. On a cultural note, many Saudis find themselves without work because they go abroad and study subjects that are not in demand by the market…something akin to a History
Major forced to drive a taxi due to lack of demand for such professionals.

Saudi Arabia is aware of the future, but they (much like Kuwait) are not utilizing good
business acumen to promote diversification. They are, interestingly enough, looking to solar power to meet their internal energy consumption needs, but their goals are set far too high at the moment. Additionally, they are looking to develop a non-existent auto industry in the kingdom. The problem at the moment is that Automotive Sheet Aluminum is being produced on the West coast, but the Saudis are pressuring auto-makers to build factories on the East Coast…a difficult sell to Western manufacturers as the most sensible economic decision would place factories as close to the aluminum as possible to reduce costs. When one takes into account that over 90% of government revenue comes from oil, and that Saudi Arabia spends a great deal in wages (the
government of Saudi Arabia is huge…the Ministry of Interior alone compromises about 3% of the population and the Ministry compromises about 40% of the Saudi Government), the future of Saudi Arabian economic fortunes appears precarious.

To place those figures into perspective, Saudi Arabia’s population is over 32 million. 3% of that figure is falls short of One Million people working for the Ministry of the Interior (~970, 000!). Again, to lend further perspective: The United States Department of Interior says they employ around 70,000 people (That’s about .002% of the total US population).

Also, Saudi Arabia is faced with a large youth bulge (again, following the trend of its
fellow Gulf neighbors), combine this youth bulge with its educational exchange program and you have a large cross-section of the population that is energetic and hungry for reform (both political and cultural) having been influenced by western ideas while abroad. It is this keen awareness of potential change that everywhere I go in the Gulf I am asked: “Do you think revolution will come to my country.” In some respects, I view this question as a probe as to what “The American” thinks. Sometimes it is asked, fearful of the potential changes ahead…but in other instances I am left with the impression that the person asking the question is fishing for positive reinforcement…thinking that my answer that an Arab Spring will arrive in Saudi Arabia feeds their hopes of such an event occurring. Regardless, the Saudi Government is attempting to balance its foreign policy accordingly to ensure continued stability in the Kingdom.

Saudi Arabia’s overwhelming fear (bordering on Paranoia) of Iran is what is currently
driving foreign policy in the country. It is one reason why continued close relations with Bahrain exist and why Saudi Arabia is carefully supporting opposition movements in Syria. Connected to their fear of internal stability, the Saudi Government is wary of which opposition movement they support, because the last thing they want is for an extremist regime to arise in place of Al-Assad, but more importantly they are fearful of foreign fighters (many of whom originated from Saudi Arabia) from returning…and with their return, bringing more extremist ideology and skill sets that as guerrilla/insurgent fighters could be used against the Saudi Security Infrastructure and the royal family. The Saudis are content, however, to see the Al-Assad regime fall first…then they will address the issues of who fills the power vacuum. In many ways, it is the Saudis’ fear of the Iranians that blinds them to any alternatives… negotiating with the Iranians and their various “Pawns” is an impossibility in the minds of the Saudi government. Our shifting focus [to other regions] is also concerning Saudis because they feel as though they will be neglected and our talks with Tehran do little to ease the minds of the Saudi Government.

As one can imagine the political landscape in the area, so far as Iran is concerned, has changed drastically. The hard-line rhetoric of a Trump regime has calmed and soothed the Saudi government, and encouraged them to continue their campaign of military intervention against the Houthis in Yemen (Shi’a, who the Saudi’s believe are under the direct influence of Iran).

Closing with our partnership with the Saudis; our three [Foreign Military Sales] programs are large organizations capable of meeting the Saudis needs. [Our program supporting the Saudi Interior Ministry] is particularly interesting and serves as an umbrella organization that includes all U.S. government agencies. [Our support of the Ministry of Interior is unique in that it is one of the only Interior Ministry that receives Foreign Military Sales funding], but an exception was made in the case of Saudi Arabia, [mainly] because it is considered a para-military organization. One of the challenges that a Security Cooperation Officer faces when working with Saudi Agencies is that these agencies have a tendency to covet thy neighbor’s things…in other words, the Ministry of Interior wants some things that Ministry of Defense has, even if they have no need for such items. [e.g.: The Ministry of Defense buys F16’s, as a consequence, the Ministry of the Interior feels a need to ask for a similar deal]. Given that the Saudi Government’s three priorities are Egypt, Syria, and Iran, and given that the U.S. and the Kingdom disagree on policy on all three counts; it speaks volumes to our cooperative security relationship that business can still be conducted despite these differences.

In retrospect, this very strong relationship is built primarily on a symbiotic relationship borne of necessity only. The Saudi government needs the support of the United States to continue to survive in an increasingly unstable environment. We require a friendly Saudi government amenable to us so that we can continue to have access to Saudi Oil.

Regional and Cultural Knowledge

Everyone is happy to describe Saudi Arabia as Medieval. This is usually in reference to its draconian penal system and harsh religious standards upheld by the Muttawah (the religious police). This description was adequately applied to the workings of the government itself: In the Country you have the King who is (surprisingly) the King, under the king are the various fiefdoms (i.e. the Government Ministries). Each of these small fiefdoms vie for favor with the king, compete for “land” and “resources,” and seek to build their own “army” which can translate to manpower and equipment. At no time did we see evidence of the religious police during our stay in Jeddah and Riyadh. We did encounter the rather inconvenient occurrence of being asked to leave an establishment as it closed for prayer and being politely asked to leave a “family” area we had accidentally strayed into at a park. Asides from that, Saudi Arabia proved far less intimidating that originally anticipated.

Travel Tips for Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia was not the intimidating trip I originally expected. That being said, ensure you obtain an International Driver’s Permit if you intend to rent a car. As this is necessary for car rentals and the RSO (U.S. Regional Security Office) restrictions currently do not allow you to travel via public transport. Riyadh was surprisingly filled with activities in comparison to Jeddah; which proved to have a more “cosmopolitan” feel, but the old city was dilapidated (signs that it was indeed…well, Old), and the museum was also being used as office space. The National Museum in Riyadh, however, was very large, well-organized, and if you are willing to put in the time, an excellent source of information on the history of Islam. If I were to plan out my trip for a longer period of time I would recommend attempting to travel to “Mada’in Saleh,” which are some Nabatean Ruins that (at least according to the images at the Museum) remind me of Petra in Jordan.

When travelling in Saudi Arabia, I never felt more afraid for my life than at any previous point in past (I include my deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan in that statement). This sense of danger was not from a fear of being kidnapped or targeted by terrorist activities, but from traffic safety. Driving in the Middle East is inherently chaotic and dangerous to the uninitiated, but Saudi Arabia has taken that chaos and danger to a whole new level by injected pure, unadulterated recklessness into the mix. Like a drunk leaving the bar and driving home, cars drift and weave into neighboring lanes. Speed Limits might as well be non-existent. Lane changes are careless and last minute. If I were to perish in the Middle East, it would not be from a bomb or bullet; but from being sideswiped on the freeway at 80 miles-an-hour. Bottom Line: Be wary and cautious on the roads.

Disclaimer: These writings constitute my own observations, opinions and viewpoints seen through the lens of a military veteran and shaped through my interactions with my professional colleagues. It in no way reflects an official statement by the US Government nor are any details being revealed that could constitute a breach in confidence or security.

Thank you for reading. Hopefully you liked this light departure from current US Domestic Affairs ravaging our country. More will follow as I continue to unearth my old records. Please comment, like, and share at your leisure. You can, as always, also follow me on Twitter @streamingdan82

If you’re a regular reader to the blog and are interested in ways you can support this site, you can visit Support the Blog and check out my Patreon Page!

]]>https://streamingdan.com/2017/08/21/saudi-arabia-travel/feed/0downloadstreamingdan82Saudi_Arabia_map.pngStreaming Dan is Expanding to Facebook! Join the Group.https://streamingdan.com/2017/08/16/streaming-dan-is-expanding-to-facebook-join-the-group/
https://streamingdan.com/2017/08/16/streaming-dan-is-expanding-to-facebook-join-the-group/#respondThu, 17 Aug 2017 05:41:35 +0000http://streamingdan.com/?p=2970]]>I realize that while I am an active and passionate Twitter User, many readers here may not necessarily interface with Twitter overly much. I can understand the sentiment. As one will likely agree when reading this modest blog, I am rather verbose in my prose. For those fellow writers that can’t confine themselves to the 140 characters of tweet, I understand entirely. So I’ve created a Facebook Group in support of this blog to further encourage engagement and discussion among our community.

I started this group with the intent of engaging a larger audience of Resisters. Times are tough, and uniting and organizing is important in enacting positive and real change in our country. Please join me and a phenomenal community of activists and progressives.

There are some incredibly easy rules associated with this group:

1) I have zero tolerance for Hate speech. If you attack someone or a group on the basis of attributes such as race, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, or gender you will be removed from the Group. End of Story

2) This is an open forum for discussion. Please be mature and courteous when engaging with each other. We are adults. Nobody is “wrong” or “stupid” so long as you bring facts to back up your arguments and you pay close attention to Rule #1.If a flare up is detected, you’ll be warned. Repeat incidents will get you removed from the Group.

3) We’re all passionate and many of us are angry. Directing that emotion towards a productive end is part of Resisting. Directing to your fellows is counter productive to our goals. Please, see Rule #2.

4) Bottom Line: Enjoy engaging within this community. Discuss, Debate, and Coordinate. It’s about connecting each other and acknowledging we are not alone in this ocean of madness.

What can you Expect from this new group in it’s infancy?

– Shared Articles from the StreamingDan.com blog (That’s me!)– Shared Memes and Commentary– Any upcoming events (for me, it would be the SF Bay Area)– Engaged Discussion among like minded Individuals in a Safe Space

How can I participate?

– Share articles you like among the community– Share your own Memes and Commentary– Comment, Like, and Discuss with a wide variety of concerned citizens from Across the US and Beyond! (Fingers Crossed )– Add Upcoming Events in YOUR local area!– I can’t be everywhere at once, and I don’t often scroll through everything on my social media feeds. If you see something offensive, inflammatory, or hateful. Please report it and let me know and I’ll dive into the issue as soon as I am able! “If you See Something, Say Something.”

Please Consider: This is a closed group to help encourage privacy and openness of discussion; again a safe place to bring your thoughts. Your membership is subject to my review as are any new posts. I’ll try to be speedy in approving your content (Which I will more likely than not will approve) and uploading my own, but please be patient, this all very new to me.

]]>https://streamingdan.com/2017/08/16/streaming-dan-is-expanding-to-facebook-join-the-group/feed/0FBGroupstreamingdan82Trump’s Mechanical Doppelganger Speaks: The Insincerity of Trump Analyzedhttps://streamingdan.com/2017/08/14/august-14-trump-statement-analysis/
https://streamingdan.com/2017/08/14/august-14-trump-statement-analysis/#commentsMon, 14 Aug 2017 20:40:30 +0000http://streamingdan.com/?p=2817]]>I once joked that Trump has an evil twin. This was satire. I will, however, drag this old “joke” from my blogger’s storage unit. It becomes clear to me that in order to portray empathy or to project a presidential message, the White House has opted to utilize a mechanical automaton that resembles Donald Trump. It still is in need of upgrades, since it’s ability to deliver a sense of sincerity, gravitas, or any semblance of real human emotion or compassion falls disastrously short of convincing. This is a silly notion. I know this is not true. Yet, the prospect of John Kelly trotting out a robotic double of Donald Trump when the president needs to stay on message is far more believable than the idea that Trump truly denounces racism, bigotry, and hatred.

There is very little humor to be had surrounding the events in Charlottesville. The open hatred and racism that we witnessed in Virginia have continued to cast a long shadow over the Trump Administration. His own reticence to come out against the hate groups that represent a large portion of the Donald Trump’s dwindling base can be viewed as political cowardice and an implicit endorsement of White Nationalism and Racism in America.

Today (August 14, 2017), in an transparent attempt to placate the outrage on both sides of the political aisle, Donald Trump issued a statement in a press conference. Having watched the statement, I would say it was one of the least convincing performances I have seen from Trump. Let’s take a look and see what we can extract from his mess.

Thank you. I’m in Washington today to meet with my economics team to meet about trade policy and major tax cuts and reform. We are renegotiating trade deals and making them good for the American worker, and it’s about time. Our economy is now strong, the stock market continues to hit record highs, unemployment is at a 16-year low and businesses are more optimistic than ever before. Companies are moving back to the United States and bringing many thousands of jobs with them. We have already created over 1 million jobs since I took office.

A Pet Peeve of mine is Donald Trump’s continued lack of specificity. His gross generalizations and usage of grandiose figures neither inform nor communicate competency. Specificity need not destroy one’s ability to be concise in messaging; yet, his own claims seem to be backed up by large numbers and figures that he happened to come up with off the top of his head. Then again, Trump has not been well-renowned for using fact-based evidence in anything he chooses to undertake.

The world of economics moves slowly. Myself, I’m not a economics expert, but Trump would have us believe that his brief tenure in the Oval Office has managed to make sweeping economic changes. Truth be told, President Obama’s budget proposal is still in effect until 30 September…so, as is a common refrain among Resisters: Donald Trump once again takes credit for another Obama success.

We will be discussing economic issues in greater detail later this afternoon, but based on the events that took place over the weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia, I would like to provide the nation with an update on the ongoing federal response to the horrific attack and violence that was witnessed by everyone.

I just met with FBI director Christopher Wray, and Attorney General Jeff Sessions. The Department of Justice has opened a civil rights investigation into the deadly car attack that killed one innocent American, and wounded twenty others. To anyone who acted criminally in this weekend’s racist violence, you will be held fully accountable. Justice will be delivered.

Donald Trump delivers a tepid and laconic response that ultimately comes off as insincere and disengaged. His entire tone has the emotional temper of a man silently telling the White Supremacist community: “Sorry, guys, they made me say this stuff…”

Donald Trump, decides not to apply domestic terrorism to white supremacy. Precedent has sadly been established for terrorists using vehicular manslaughter as a tool; and similar events in London prompted Trump to tout his inherently racist immigration ban. In his unjustified and uninformed attack on London Mayor Sadiq Khan, he acknowledges this vehicular attack is terrorism:

At least 7 dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and Mayor of London says there is "no reason to be alarmed!"

Terrorism is neither defined as something perpetuated through bombs nor as something carried out by Islamic Extremists. There is a blind-spot among white conservatives who subscribe to Trump’s rhetoric. Terrorism can come from any extremist group…to include so-called “christian” extremists that would rather see an America bereft of diversity.

I remain skeptical as to how far any probe into this event goes under FBI Director Chris Wray and Jeff “Jim Crow” Sessions. Do we really expect Sessions to come down hard on the KKK…a group that Sessions had once said: “I used to respect them [The KKK], but if they smoke pot, I sure can’t,” Apparently, marijuana use, in Sessions twisted mind, is worse than racist lynch mobs.

I think Trump’s word choice at the end is key. “To anyone who acted criminally in this weekend’s racist violence, you will be held fully accountable. Justice will be delivered.” This statement remains general and places responsibility of violence on nobody; mirroring his earlier statement that the weekend’s violence can be attributed to “many sides.” As I thought further on the dissection of this statement, I realized his unwillingness to place responsibility is actually a means to shift responsibility. As is the trend among sexists and misogynists, Donald Trump implicitly Victim-Blames the counter-protesters in Charlottesville.

Be wary, I get the sense Sessions and Trump will be pursuing the protester community, claiming they brought violence on themselves…while White Supremacists and Nazis remain un-phased by Donald Trump, liberal and progressive protesters will be probed and investigated I fear.

As I said on Saturday, we condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence – it has no place in America. And as I have said many times before, no matter the color of our skin, we all live under the same laws. We all salute the same great flag, and we are all made by the same almighty God. We must love each other, show affection for each other and unite together in condemnation of hatred, bigotry and violence. We must rediscover the bonds of love and loyalty that bring us together as Americans.

When Trump finally spoke out Saturday, he did not condemn hatred, bigotry, and violence in the “strongest possible terms.”

“We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides, on many sides.” — 12 Aug 2017

I find it amusing, Donald Trump or his speechwriter had to re-use the same verbiage (pretty much word-for-word) It’s as if they were particularly proud of the prose or had just learned the definition of “egregious” and needed to re-use the word.

Back on track: He says, “…as i have said many times before, no matter the color of our skin, we all live under the same laws.” Had he really said this many times before. Simply stating it as fact in a press conference does not make this true. Further examples of Trump’s political philosophy that if he lies vehemently and often enough, people will eventually believe it.

Again, his own delivery demonstrates a lack of sincerity and he clearly does not believe a word he is saying.

Racism is evil, and those who cause violence in its name are criminals and thugs, including the KKK, neo-Nazis, white supremacists and other hate groups that are repugnant to everything we hold dear as Americans. We are a nation founded on the truth that all of us are created equal. We are equal in the eyes of our creator, we are equal under the law and we are equal under our constitution. Those who spread violence in the name of bigotry, strike at the very core of America.

There’s the bombshell. It took Donald Trump Saturday and all of Sunday to figure out how to tell the nation that the KKK, neo-Nazis, and white supremacists were evil. If he really believed that, then he would not have hedged his bets earlier and wait for the outrage to become loud enough his staff forced this prepared statement down his gullet.

As is his way, this self-absorbed creature invokes god into his statement. As a person of faith myself, I truly doubt whether or not Trump worships any being other than the one he sees in the mirror every morning. An a appeal to the evangelicals in his camp that are just as deplorable for their espousal of repressing the rights of women and the LGBTQ community as well as standing behind the rampant spread of islamaphobia and xenophobia. Religious Prejudice and religious tyranny are anything but godly.

Two days ago, a young American woman Heather Heyer was tragically killed. Her death fills us with grief, and we send her family our thoughts, our prayers and our love. We also mourn the two Virginia state troopers who died in service to their community, their commonwealth and their country.

Troopers Jay Cullen and Berke Bates exemplify the very best of America, and our hearts go out to their family, their friends and every member of American law enforcement. These three fallen Americans embody the goodness and decency of our nation. In times such as these, America has always shown it’s true character, responding to hate with love, division with unity and violence with an unwavering resolve for justice. As a candidate, I promise to restore law and order to our country, and our federal law enforcement agencies are following through on that pledge.

When the demands became high enough, Donald Trump acknowledged the tragic deaths in Charlottesville. I would, however, add that Trump chooses not to characterize Heather Heyer’s death as a murder; perpetuated by a cowardly act of domestic terrorism, motivated by hate.

Apparently, Donald Trump is speaking to us as “a candidate.” This is where the democrats and The Resistance Movement must be wary. Donald Trump never stopped running for president and will shamelessly continue to do so until he’s either impeached, resigns, or 2020 rears its ugly head.

Note: Trump has still yet to acknowledge three other tragic deaths: the loss of three marines, which occurred on the 8th of August. So, unless you are a die-hard Trump supporter, we can easily say that Donald Trump carries not one empathetic bone in his decrepit body.

We will spare no resource in fighting so that every American child can grow up free from violence and fear. We will defend and protect the sacred rights of all Americans and we will work together so that every citizen in this blessed land is free to follow their dreams in their hearts and to express the love and joy in their souls. Thank you, God bless you, and God bless America. Thank you very much.

He speaks of fighting violence and fear, yet, this runs contrary to many of his statements and tweets; which have only further fanned the flames of violence and fear. He has encouraged police brutality, incited his gun-touting supporters to shoot Hillary, and we continue to see a marked uptick in Islamophobia and anti-immigrant sentiments which has come to characterize his presidency. His call to fight extremism and hate-fueled violence rings hollow and speaks to his blatant hypocrisy. At no point has America been more fearful. Fearful of minorities, fearful of immigrants, fearful of Islam…and for almost two-thirds of America, fearful for the future of American democracy and pluralism. I don’t buy his line that he opposes violence and fear. His own words and actions say otherwise.

Again, invoking religious verbiage, he proclaims the importance of rights of all Americans. While freedom of speech remains a cornerstone of our constitution, one can also imply through his broad language that the rights of extremist white, christian hate groups/domestic terrorists are of equal value.

Note: In the interest of full disclosure, while I remain a supporter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), their own dedication to freedoms and rights applied to all Americans have extended to these movements as well. One reason I have had a troubled and conflicted view of the organization.

The continued trend of hate and bigotry in our country is worth becoming alarmed over. Certainly, I believe that those that are willing to stand up against hate vastly outnumber the small fringe element of racists and bigots that have emerged from the woodwork. Did Donald Trump create these people? No. The KKK, White Nationalists, and Neo-Nazis have been a part of America’s fringe radical groups since before Trump stepped into the Oval Office. What is concerning is that these hate-mongers no longer feel alone, and believe they can spout their hateful rhetoric with the tacit endorsement from the White House. In this charged environment, an even more deplorable creature has emerged into the fabric of American society: The Hate Group Apologist. There’s no justification for hate-fueled violence. There’s no justification for racial and religious hatred.

Whether you believe Donald Trump is a racist or not (let’s be honest, he probably is…for those of you doubtful of this label, you can reference a rather exhaustive list of his racial prejudice and prejudice of his cronies), he is most definitely a political coward. His statement not only telegraphs gross insincerity, but also comes as “too little, too late.” He has spent the last few months slowly eroding his support from the GOP. He has not yet to have a day where approximately two-thirds of America isn’t outraged. So, he suckles at the teats of his base, which is largely characterized by racists, anti-semites, islamaphobes, xenophobes and bigots. His support is dwindling, and I’d wager he’s scared to lose the few die-hards he has left.

Are you feeling like you’ve been taking crazy pills? Baffled by the fact the President still remains seemingly unscathed from provided aid and comfort to an adversarial Russia? Astounded that the President of the United States of America in the 21st Century tolerates a President that offers safe harbor to racists and bigots both in our country and in his own White House? Well…I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please feel free to Comment, share, and like. Also, subscribe to ensure you get the latest updates. You can also follow me on twitter @streamingdan82